How Do You Care for Tulips?

Caring for tulips involves carefully scheduled watering, soil compost enrichment, deadheading and flower removal. Tulips may be planted and cultivated either by using bulb offsets or seeds.

Tulips are perennial plants of the genus Tulipa with about 75 different accepted species. The plant can be found in the Northeastern Hemisphere from North Africa through Turkey, Siberia to northwestern China. Tulips bloom every spring and depending on the species, the plant can grow from 4 inches to 28 inches high. It is cultivated particularly for its unique cup- or star-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors.

The following shows how to plant and care for tulips.

Planting

Tulip bulbs must be planted as soon as possible after purchasing. They are ideally planted between 6 to 8 weeks before the onset of hard frost, which can be between early autumn in colder regions to late autumn in warm regions.

Spacing

Bulbs should be placed about 6 to 8 inches apart. The holes should be twice as deep as the bulb, and the dirt above the bulb must be pressed down firmly after planting.

Caring

Tulips are not particularly fond of moisture. Watering should be done only during autumn. The soil must be treated with compost yearly to ensure that the tulip gets sufficient nutrients. Keep on the lookout for common tulip pests such as aphids, snails, slugs, grey mold and nematodes.